View of a Local in Lima, Peru

In the midst of blogging about the recovery of his earthquake-striken country Peru, Juan Arellano Valdivia takes time out to tell us about his hometown, Lima.

Juan kindly provided us with his answers in both English and Spanish, so we’ve included the Spanish version in grey font indented below the English version.

Briefly, please could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Well, I’m Peruvian, I’m 47 years old, I have two adult (or so they say) daughters and I’m divorced. I used to be a Systems Programmer, but currently I work in business and some things on the Internet.

My blog is Globalizado. I collaborate with Global Voices and I am the editor of the Spanish version of that same website. I like travelling and photography, although I’m a bit rough on that last one. And the two things I have liked my whole life are reading and progressive rock.

Bueno, soy peruano, tengo 47 años, dos hijas ya adultas (o eso dicen) y un divorcio. Solía ser Programador de Sistemas, pero actualmente me dedico al comercio y a algunas cosas en Internet. Mi blog es Globalizado. Colaboro en Global Voices y soy editor de la versión castellana de la misma web. Me gusta viajar y la fotografía, aunque soy bastante burdo para esto último. Y dos cosas que me gustan de toda la vida son la lectura y el rock progresivo.

How is Peru coping in the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake?

Truth be told, this disaster has caught out the government and its departments - the very people that should help precisely at moments like these. Nonetheless, the solidarity of the Peruvian people is making the difference and amid all the problems it is the people themselves who are organizing and helping. It’s a time when it becomes evident that many things need to be fixed and hopefully it all serves as a lesson, so that in the future a situation like this does not occur again.

La verdad sea dicha, este desastre ha agarrado desprevenidos al gobierno y a sus dependencias que deben precisamente ayudar en momentos como éste. Sin embargo la solidaridad del pueblo peruano está marcando la diferencia y entre todos los problemas es el propio pueblo el que se organiza y se ayuda. Es un momento en el que se esta viendo que se debe corregir muchas cosas y ojalá sirva para que en el futuro no se vuelva a dar una situación como ésta.

While Peru is recovering, should travellers postpone their visit to the country?

If you were planning to visit, say the Paracas Reserve or the Nazca Lines, it could still be somewhat risky. The Ica region has borne the brunt of the earthquake, so has the Huancavelica region in the Andes.

But Lima has hardly suffered damage, and cities like Cuzco, Cajamarca, Arequipa, Trujillo Chiclayo and Iquitos are the same as always. Although, if you are planning to leave Lima via the Panamerican South highway, forget it. Take a plane to your destination.

Si planeaban visitar, digamos la Reserva de Paracas o las líneas de Nazca, podría ser un poco arriesgado aún, El departamento de Ica es el que ha llevado la peor parte con el terremoto, lo mismo que el departamento de Huancavelica en la sierra. Pero Lima no ha sufrido daños prácticamente y ciudades como el Cuzco, Cajamarca, Arequipa, Trujillo Chiclayo e Iquitos están como siempre. Eso sí, si planean ir de Lima vía la Panamericana Sur, olvídenlo. Tomen un avión mejor a su destino.

Can travellers in any way help the victims of the earthquake?

I think that just by coming to Peru travellers are already helping us. But of course the official centers that receive donations are open to the general public and I saw tourists donating blood the day after the tragedy, something that really impacted me positively.

In my blog, I wrote a post in English and Spanish, about how to help and just as I say there, Peruvian embassies and consulates are receiving all kinds of aid for the victims.

Pienso que con el sólo hecho de venir al Perú ya nos está ayudando. Pero por supuesto los centros oficiales que reciben donaciones están abiertos al público en general y he visto turistas donando sangre el día después de la tragedia, cosa que de veras me impactó positivamente. En mi blog puse un post en inglés y castellano sobre como ayudar y tal como digo ahí la embajadas y consulados del Perú están recibiendo todo tipo de donación para los damnificados.

How long have you lived in Lima?

I have lived in Lima practically since I was born, although I did live in the hot city of Iquitos on the banks of the Amazon in the Peruvian rainforest for ten years.

Prácticamente desde que nací vivo en Lima, aunque viví un tiempo en la calurosa ciudad de Iquitos, a orillas del río Amazonas en la selva peruana por espacio de unos 10 años.

What do you like most about living in Lima?

As you will understand, it’s the city in which I was raised and in a certain way I feel safe in it. But, if we get to concrete things, I would say, I like to live near the historical center. It is one of the parts of Lima I like most, and I never get tired of wandering around it. And, although many call it chaotic and too fast, I feel, I understand its rhythms and its order and I’ve never had problems with that.

Como comprenderán es la ciudad en la que crecí y en cierta manera me siento seguro en ella. Pero si vamos a cosas concretas, diré que me gusta vivir cerca del centro histórico, es una de las zonas que más me gustan de Lima, y no me canso de recorrerla. Y aunque muchos la llaman caótica y acelerada, creo que entiendo sus ritmos y su orden y nunca he tenido problemas con eso.

Is there anything you do not like about living in Lima?

I don’t like that Lima has become a very large city, sometimes you have to travel many kilometers to visit relatives or friends. There are also areas that are not too safe due to crime.

No me gusta que Lima se ha vuelta una ciudad demasiado grande, a veces hay que recorrer muchos kilómetros para poder visitar a familiares o amigos. También que hay zonas poco seguras por la delincuencia.

Why should travellers visit Lima?

Although it does not preserve much of its old splendor, Lima still demonstrates signs of its colonial past, when it was practically the capital of South America. So, if your thing is history, there is much to see in Lima.

On another note, Peruvian food is fabulous and Lima is where most of it is concentrated. The culinary offer is wide and for all tastes.

Aunque no conserva mucho de su antiguo esplendor, Lima aún muestra huellas de su pasado colonial, cuando prácticamente era la capital de Sudamérica. Así que si lo suyo es la historia, hay bastante que ver en Lima. Por otra parte la comida peruana es fabulosa y Lima concentra la mayor parte de ella, la oferta culinaria es amplia y para todos los gustos.

If a visitor had time to do or see only one thing in Lima, what should it be?

This is a difficult question, but personally I feel inclined to mention the San Francisco Church complex. It is a place full of history where really surprising things can be found.

Difícil pregunta, pero particularmente me siento inclinado a mencionar el complejo de la Iglesia de San Francisco, es un lugar lleno de historia y se encontrarán con cosas realmente sorprendentes.

If a visitor had time for only one meal in Lima, which dish would you recommend?

Well, if you have never tried ceviche, this dish is the almost obvious selection. If you’ve already tried that and you’re someone who enjoys food, then try one of those combination plates that offer several different types of food on one plate, such as ají de gallina, cau cau, lamb seco, chicken with rice and various others. (I was once served a plate that offered seven different types of food).

Bueno, si nunca has probado el cebiche, dicho plato es la elección casi obvia. Si no fuera el caso y se trata de alguien de buen diente, uno de esos platos que traen un poquito de varias comidas diversas tales como Ají de Gallina, cau-cau, seco de cordero, arroz con pollo, y varios otros (una vez me sirvieron uno que traía siete comidas diferentes).

Do you have any other insider tips for visitors to Lima or other places in Peru?

Well, the problem of crime is a fact, so I would advise them to not be too trusting and to always remain alert. In particular if they leave the established tourist routes.

On the other hand, this should not be a barrier to visiting areas of the city away from the normal route, there are many safe areas. The best thing to do is to ask about the area you want to visit before heading there.

Outside of Lima, there are numerous places to visit that have rich history and incredible landscapes - cities with Inca ruins, beautiful mountains and glaciers, lovely lakes and lagoons, beautiful waterfalls, immense rivers where you can sail for days observing nature, and above all, many friendly, hospitable people and incredible food.

Bueno, el problema de la delincuencia es un hecho, así que les advertiría no ser muy confiados y mantenerse siempre alertas, sobre todo si salen de los circuitos turísticos establecidos. Por otra parte esto no debe ser tampoco una barrera para que no se animen a visitar la ciudad fuera de los que normalmente se indica, hay muchas zonas seguras, lo mejor es preguntar siempre que tal es la zona a donde piensan dirigirse antes de salir.
Fuera de Lima hay una cantidad enorme de sitios que visitar con una riqueza histórica y paisajística increíble, ciudades con ruinas incaicas, con bellas montañas y nevados, preciosas lagunas y lagos, bellas cataratas, ríos inmensos para navegar por días observando la naturaleza, y sobre todo, mucha gente amable y hospitalaria y una comida increíble.

Note

Anni Poulsen: Head on over to Juan’s blog for more information about Peru. Don’t miss his post on how you can help Peru recover from the disastrous earthquake in Earthquake in Perú: Canalizing the aid

Put your pin in our map

Our View of a Local series consists of interviews with local people in various towns and cities in different countries.

The map below shows the places covered so far.

Use the zoom and directional buttons to navigate the map. Click on the red points to view more information and the satellite button for a satellite image.

For more information about how you can take part in our View of a Local series, please go to our View of a Local page >>

Technorati Tags: travel, view of a local, peru

Leave a Reply